"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:
sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is
idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to
walk in these ways, in the life you once lived." Colossians 3:5-7

A new life in Christ calls for the utter destruction of these evils. It
is a shameful list which Paul names. It makes us ashamed to
think that such qualities may belong to us—or may nest in our heart!
Who would have thought that any these vile things could exist in anyone
who wears the human form! Yet many of these ugly things are
found in each of us! Our hearts are naturally cages of unclean
birds!

What does Paul tell us we should do with these unholy things? He says
we are to put them to death. When we find any evil thing in ourselves,
we must kill it, for it is not right for it to live. An uncompromising
war should be waged against all evil. He who cherishes any impurity in
himself—is nursing a viper which
will sting him to death by and by!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The way to
obtain the help of God
(J. R. Miller,
"Devotional Hours with the Bible")

"I have had God's help to this very day, and so I
stand here and testify to small and great alike." Acts 26:22

When Paul stood before Agrippa, it was twenty-five years after his
conversion. They had been years of toilsome life, amid enemies and
dangers; but the heroic old apostle had never given up, never faltered,
never turned aside. It was a great record—but he takes no praise to
himself. The help came from God—for all these years of faithful
witnessing.

Many Christians fear that they will not be able to stand faithful and
true to the end. Here is an encouraging word for all such: They shall
obtain help from God for every duty, for every hour of
danger, for every struggle. They need only to be faithful day by day,
doing the day's duty quietly, and trusting God. This help will come
from Him, silently, secretly, just as it is needed, always sufficient
grace—so that they shall be able to stand faithful year after year. God
never puts a burden on us—without giving us the strength we need to
carry it. The way to obtain the help of God—is
to go faithfully and promptly forward in the way of duty, asking for
the help, and sure of getting it. It will not come if we wait to get it
before we set out to do His will.

"I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in
you—will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 1:6

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Every baby starts life
as a little savage!

"Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived
me!" Psalm 51:5

"Every baby starts life as a little savage.
He is completely selfish and self-centered: he wants what he wants—his
bottle, his mother's attention, his playmate's toys, his uncle's watch,
or whatever. Deny him these and he seethes with rage and aggressiveness
which would be murderous were he not so helpless. He is dirty; he has
no morals, no knowledge and no developed skills. This means that all
children, not just certain children, but all children are born
delinquent. If permitted to continue in their self-centered world of
infancy, given free reign to their impulsive actions to satisfy each
want—every child would grow up a criminal, a killer, a thief, and a
rapist." (Reb Bradley, "Biblical Insights into Child Training")

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Remember that children are born with a decided bias toward evil, and
therefore if you let them choose for themselves, they are certain to
choose wrong. The mother cannot tell what her tender infant may grow up
to be—tall or short, weak or strong, wise or foolish—all is uncertain.
But one thing the mother can say with certainty—he will have a corrupt
and sinful heart! It is natural for us to do wrong. Our hearts are like
the earth on which we tread—let it alone, and it is sure to bear weeds!"
(J. C. Ryle)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The first Christians
(J. R. Miller,
"Devotional Hours with the Bible")

"The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." Acts
11:26

The lives of the converts were so different from their
unbelieving neighbors, that they were called Christians. It is
supposed that the name was given them in mockery or contempt
by the heathen people of Antioch. But the name stuck, and is
now used universally to describe those who follow Christ. It may not be
the very best of names.

Perhaps disciples is better—disciples means learners,
followers. We should all be disciples of Christ and should ever be
learning of Him, growing in grace and likeness of Him as we follow Him.

Perhaps believers is a better name. It carries in itself the
thought that we are saved by believing on Christ. It is faith which
works the victories in this world.

Perhaps followers would be better. To follow Christ is to
receive Him as Master and to cling to Him in obedience and devotion
wherever we may go.

But the word "Christian," given at Antioch as a sneer—is now used
everywhere. It is full of meaning. Those who are Christians should
be like Christ—"little Christs". They should represent Christ in the
world. Those who see them—should see the image of Christ in them!

Matthew Henry says, "Hitherto the followers of Christ were
called disciples, that is, learners, scholars; but from that time they
were called Christians. The proper meaning of this name is, a
follower of Christ; it denotes one who, from serious thought, embraces
the religion of Christ, believes His promises, and makes it his chief
care to shape his life by Christ's precepts and example.
Hence it is plain that multitudes take the name of
Christian—to whom it does not rightly belong! But the name without
the reality—will only add to our guilt. While the bare
profession will bestow neither profit nor delight, the possession
of it will give both the promise of the life that now is, and
of that which is to come."

"When they heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at
him! But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw
the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look!"
he said, "I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right
hand of God!" At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top
of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city
and began to stone him. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed,
"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried
out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" When he had said this, he
fell asleep." Acts 7:54-60

To Stephen, dying was only breathing out his soul into the
hands of Jesus Christ! He knew it was not death—but life, which
was before him. His body was being mangled and broken—but his spirit,
his real self, could not be harmed. Beyond the strange mystery of
death—Jesus waits to receive the departing spirit. Death is only a
gateway through which the soul passes—and then life and glory burst
upon the vision of the emancipated spirit!

Very beautiful is the picture of death which is given here: "He
fell asleep." Sleep is death's new, sweet name! What a picture of
peace the word suggests, right here in the heart and fury of the mob! In the midst of all the wild scene—Stephen fell
asleep!

We think of a tired child creeping into the mother's bosom and falling
asleep. Sleep is not a terrible experience; it is nothing to be
dreaded. We sleep when we are weary—and we awake refreshed. Sleep is
not the cessation of life. We expect to awake, after we have slept. As
we part for the night, we do not say, "Farewell," but "Goodnight," for
we expect to meet again in the morning.

This beautiful Scriptural designation of death tells us, therefore, of
life beyond, of resurrection, of immortality. We shall awake from this sleep
of death—and our life shall go on again. We shall awake refreshed,
lying down weary—and rising strong; lying down sick, or old, or
deformed, or worn-out—and rising well, young and radiant in heavenly
beauty!

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
Philippians 4:11

Contentment is the being satisfied with the sovereign
dispensations of God's providence. It is the opposite of murmuring,
which is the spirit of rebellion—the clay saying to the Potter, "Why
have You made me thus?" Instead of complaining at his lot—a contented
man is thankful that his condition and circumstances are no worse than
they are.

Discontent! Was there ever a
time when there was so much discontent and restlessness in the world,
as there is today? We very much doubt it. Despite our boasted progress,
the vast increase of wealth, the time and money expended daily in
pleasure—discontent is everywhere! No class is exempt. Everything is in
a state of flux, and almost everybody is dissatisfied. Many even among
God's own people are affected with the evil spirit of this age.

Contentment! Is such a thing realizable, or is it nothing
more than a beautiful ideal, a mere dream of the poet? Is it attainable
on earth, or is it restricted to the inhabitants of heaven? If feasible
here and now—may it be retained—or are a few brief moments or hours of
contentment the most that we may expect in this life?

The force of Paul's statement will be better appreciated, if his
condition and circumstances at the time he made it, are kept in mind.
When the apostle wrote the words, he was not luxuriating in a special
suite in the Emperor's palace—but was in prison "in chains". The
contentment which Paul enjoyed, was not the result of congenial and
comfortable surroundings. Most people suppose that contentment is
impossible, unless one can have the desires of the carnal heart
gratified. A prison is the last place to which they would go—if they
were seeking a contented man. This much, then, is clear—contentment
comes from within not without; it must be sought from God, not
in creature comforts.

Now, there is a vast difference between precept and practice, between
the ideal and the realization. But in the case of Paul, contentment was
an actual experience! It wassomething he had learned in the
school of Christian experience.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with
what you have, because God has said—Never will I leave you; never will
I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

"I have loved you, My people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing
love I have drawn you to Myself!" Jeremiah 31:3

He loved you without beginning. Before years, and centuries, and
millenniums began to be counted—your name was on His heart!
Eternal thoughts of love have been in God's bosom towards you. He has
loved you without a pause; there never was a minute in which He did not
love you. Your name once engraved upon His hands—has never been erased,
nor will He ever blot it out of the Book of Life.

Since you have been in this world—He has loved you most patiently. You
have often provoked Him; you have rebelled against Him times without
number, yet He has never stayed the outflow of His heart towards you;
and, blessed be His name—He never will. You are His, and you always
shall be His. God's love to you is without boundary. He could not love you more—for He loves
you like a God; and He never will love you less. All His heart belongs
to you!

"As the Father has loved Me—so have I loved you!" John 15:9

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

You say that
you want to be like Christ
(J. R. Miller,
"Devotional Hours with the Bible" 1909)

The art of photography is now so advanced, that a whole page of a
newspaper can be taken in miniature so small—as to be carried on a
little button, and yet every letter and point be perfect.

Just so, the whole life of Christ is photographed in this one
little phrase, "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28

He did not come to be served—if this had been His aim, He would never
have left heaven's glory, where He lacked nothing, where angels praised
Him and ministered unto Him. He came to serve. He went about doing
good. He altogether forgot Himself. He served all He met, who would
receive His service. At last He gave His life in serving—He gave it to
save others, to redeem lost souls.

You say that you want to be like Christ.
You ask Him to print His own image on your heart. Here then, is the
image: "The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,
and to give His life as a ransom for many."

It is not a vague dream of human greatness which we are to think of,
when we ask to be like our Master.

The old monks thought that they were becoming like Christ—when
they went into the wilderness, away from men, to live in cold cells.
But surely, such a dream of uselessness is not the thought
which this picture suggests. "To serve—to give our
life" that is the Christ-like thing! Instead of fleeing away from
people—we are to live with others, to serve them, to live for them, to
seek to bless them, to do them good, to give our lives for them—that is
the meaning of the prayer for Christ-likeness.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

We begin at
the lowest grade
(J. R. Miller,
"Devotional Hours with the Bible")

"Learn from Me—for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:29

All of Christian life is a school. "Learn from Me," said the
Master. We are only beginners when we first become Christians,
and enter Christ's school. We begin at the
lowest grade. We do not have to wait until we know a great
deal before we begin to attend school. School is not for
finished scholars—but for the most ignorant. We may come to Christ when
we know almost nothing. He is the teacher—and all believers are
learners.

"Learn from Me—for I am gentle." Gentleness is a
lesson which we are to learn. It will probably take us a good long
while to learn this lesson—but we must learn it because it is in
Christ's curriculum for all His students.

Contentment is another lesson which we must learn. When he was well
along in life, Paul said, "I have learned the secret of being content
in any and every situation." It was a long and difficult
lesson for him to learn.

Patience is a lesson that has to be learned. An impatient
person is not a complete Christian.

Thoughtfulness is a necessary lesson. There are a great
many thoughtless Christians. They are always blundering in their
interactions with others. They say the wrong word, they do the wrong
thing. They are always hurting other people's feelings, giving pain to
gentle hearts. Yet it is all from thoughtlessness. "I didn't mean to
offend him. I didn't mean to be unkind. I just never thought!" There
are few lessons in Christian life that more people need to learn, than
this of thoughtfulness.

We have to learn to trust. Worry is a sin. It is probably as
great a sin as dishonesty or profanity or bad temper. Yet a good many
Christian people worry—and one of the most important lessons in
Christ's school, is to learn not to worry.

Kindness is a lesson we must learn. It takes many years to
learn the one little lesson of kindness.

Joy is a lesson to be learned.

Peace is another.

Humility is another necessary lesson.

Praise is a great lesson.
All of life is a school, and it is in learning these lessons—that
Jesus says we shall find rest for your souls. Christ Himself is
our teacher, and with Him we should never fail to learn, though it be
only slowly. Then as we learn our lessons, our lives will grow
continually more and more into quietness, peace and Christlikeness.

"For what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his
own soul?" Mark 8:36

The loss of the soul is the heaviest loss that can befall a man. The
worst and most painful of diseases; the most distressing bankruptcy of
fortune; the most disastrous shipwrecks; are a
mere scratch of a pin—compared to the loss of a soul. All
other losses are bearable, or but for a short time, but the loss of the
soul is forever! It is to lose God, and Christ, and heaven, and glory,
and happiness—to all eternity. It is to be cast away forever, helpless
and hopeless in hell!

"Go to Bethel and sin! Go to Gilgal and sin yet more! Bring
your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three years. Burn
leavened bread as a thank offering and brag about your freewill
offerings—boast about them, you Israelites, for this is what you love
to do!" declares the Sovereign LORD. Amos 4:5-6

"Go to Bethel and sin!" cried the prophet. Bethel was their
place of worship—but every time they came there, they sinned because
their worship was sin. Instead of bowing before the true God and
adoring Him, they bowed before idols and gave them the honor which
belonged to God alone. The more devout they were, therefore, the more
they dishonored the Lord. Their great zeal, as shown in their
sacrifices and tithes and free-will offerings, only multiplied their
sin and heaped up sorer judgment against them!

Their religion was all a pious farce,
and the more there was of it—the more of an abomination it was unto
God. God cannot be pleased with mere forms of worship and with ceremonials.
The more we multiply these, the more do we grieve Him—if our heart is
not in them.

We may say that we have no idols now in our churches; but are
we sure of this? Do we truly worship God in our church services? When
we sing the hymns—are our hearts fixed upon God? When we pray—are
we really talking to God? When we confess sins—is the
confession sincere? When we sit in God's house—are we truly in God's
presence, breathing out our heart's love and worship to Him? If not, what
or whom are we adoring, praising, worshiping? Empty
religious forms—must have some idol at the heart of them!

The prophet told them very plainly what was in their hearts. "This is
what you love to do!" You love this! You love to make a
great display in your religion. This display of piety—is
just to your taste. You like to cover up your sins—with forms of
worship, appearing as saints before the world, though in secret
cherishing and practicing all manner of wickedness!

This is God's own picture of these ancient 'worshipers'. We need to
look honestly at it—to see if it is OUR picture. God looks at the
heart! No external appearances are of any value—unless they
are genuine expressions of what is in the heart! Pirate ships carry
reputable flags—to cover their dishonorable character. Religious
hypocrisy often puts at its masthead, the colors of devout
saintliness. But God cannot be deceived.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The object in
putting these verses in the Bible
(J. R. Miller,
"Devotional Hours with the Bible")

"You have despised My name by offering defiled sacrifices on My altar!"

Then you ask, "How have we defiled the sacrifices?"

"When you bring blind animals for sacrifice—is that not wrong?
When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals—is
that not wrong?" says the LORD Almighty.

The Jewish law required that every sacrifice offered unto God, must be
without blemish. No lame, blind, or diseased animal would be
accepted. It was an insult to God to bring to His altar
anything that was maimed, blemished or worthless. Yet the people had
been taking the best of everything for themselves, and then
bringing the refuse—the blind and lame animals—as offerings to
God!

Well, how is it with ourselves? The
object in putting these verses in the Bible—was not to get
us to condemn the people who lived twenty-three hundred years ago! It
was to make us think whether WE are doing this base thing
ourselves!

Do we give God the best of all we have—our best love, our best gifts,
our best service? Or do we take the best of all for ourselves—and then
give God the blind and the lame?

How many people in the church, when the collection plate is being
passed, pick out the smallest bit of money—to put in the plate! We
give our strength to our own work or leisure, and then have
only our weariness to bring to God. We save our best things
for ourselves, and then have only worthless things to offer our
wondrous King! What kind of service are we giving to our glorious Lord?

The Lord's answer to the arrogant defense of the priests is startling: "Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so
that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not at all
pleased with you—and I will not accept your offerings!"

What do WE bring to God—when we go through the forms of prayer, when we
sing the sacred words of our hymn, when we make our offerings, when we
sit down at the Lord's table? If there is only words, words, words
in all our worship—no heart, no love, no real presenting of ourselves
to God, no laying of our best on the altar—God has no pleasure in us
and will not accept our offerings at our hand!

"Now these things occurred as examples to keep US from setting
our hearts on evil things as they did." 1 Corinthians 10:6

"A man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet Him.
This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not
even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and
foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No
one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and
in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones!" Mark 5:2-5

In this demoniac, we have a sample of the work of Satan—when
he gets full control in a man. He destroys every beautiful thing in the
life, and leaves only ruin! No chains could bind this
demoniac. When sin is on the throne, all other influences and
constraints become like spiders' threads in comparison! No chain is
strong enough to bind the man—who has yielded himself to the sway of
the Evil One! The love of a godly mother is a strong bond—but many a
child tears off this holy chain and rushes into wayward and
evil paths! Home ties are strong—but these too are broken
asunder, by the victim of Satan's ungodly rule.

We see that the demoniac cut and gashed himself with stones. This
illustrates what in many ways, Satan's captives do. They may not
literally go about cutting their flesh with knives or bruising their
bodies with stones; but they do gash and bruise their souls!
Sin always wounds the life—and one of its fearful consequences is the self-destruction
it works. Every sin one commits leaves an ugly scar! We grieve
God by our wrongdoing, and we harm others when we
sin against them; but we always injure ourselves—by every evil
word we speak, by every wrong act we commit, even by the evil thoughts
we think in our hearts. The self-hurt of sin is one of its
saddest consequences!

Demons find their pleasure in working mischief, and in ruining lives.
Godly men count that day lost—in which they have done no act of
kindness to another. Demons count the day lost—in which they
have stained no pure soul or led no one into sin!

We ought to tear off Satan's mask and show him as he is! Evil
comes to us pretending to be a friend. It
holds flowers in its hands and whispers entrancing words,
promising rich rewards: "Only do this—and it will bring you pleasure,
honor, wealth and joy!" That is the way sin talks. But this is
all false. Sin is never a friend to man. It never does good to
anyone—but always harm. However plausibly Satan may present his
temptations under the guise of pleasure—his secret aim is to destroy
the soul he tempts. Nothing gives the Evil One so much
pleasure—as to see a fair and beautiful life—stained and debauched!

It is most comforting to us, to find that Christ is able to dislodge
even the most obdurate and persistent demon! No one could bind this
demoniac, nor resist his superhuman strength. But at His word—the foul
spirit was compelled to leave the man he had possessed for so long. No human
hand can break the chains of sinful habits. No mere resolution
can free one from Satan's bondage. Only Christ can set the devil's
captives free! Those who have long been trying in vain to reform, to
break away from evil practices—see in Christ, the Friend who alone can
deliver them and save them. No demon-power can resist His command. Only
Christ can free the poor slaves of Satan, and save them from his
terrible sway!

"The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the swine.
The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep
bank into the lake and were drowned!" Mark 5:13

In the swine, under demoniac possession, rushing down the steep cliff
and perishing in the lake—we have another illustration of the end
of all Satan's ruinous work. It is with men—as it was here with
the swine. It never yet has been known that Satan impelled anyone
upward to a better life or to anything noble and lofty; he always
drives down sin's steep ways—into choking floods. God's ways
leads upward—it is always uphill to Christ and to heaven. But the devil
always drives downward. These poor swine,
demon-possessed, rushed down the steep bank, into the lake—and
perished. Just so do human souls, demon-possessed, rush down sin's
precipitous course and perish!

It would be well to keep this dreadful picture in our mind when
we are tempted in any way by the devil; for if we follow
him—this is the way it will surely end with us!

Christ did not so much give rules for special cases—as principles
to govern all conduct.

"I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies; do good to those
who hate you." Luke 6:27

Loving enemies is not a natural affection.

This is not an easy lesson to learn!

It is never easy to be a Christian.

The easy way does not lead toward heaven!

The lesson of love continues, "Bless those who curse you;
pray for those who mistreat you." Luke 6:28

These counsels are intensely practical. In answer to men's cursings,
revilings and insults—we are to return words of peace, kindness and
love. Those who mistreat us—we are to pray for, instead of uttering
threats against them, or imprecations upon them.

We remember how Jesus Himself lived out this law of love. There
were many who cursed Him and reviled Him—but He never lost the
sweetness of love out of His heart. He never on any occasion returned a
word of cursing or anger or even of impatience—in response to the
bitterest revilings of His enemies. "When He was reviled—He did not
revile in return; when suffering—He did not threaten, but committed
Himself to the One who judges justly." 1 Peter 2:23

That is the example for us. We are to be silent when others
speak evil of us or to us; or, if we speak, it is to be the soft
answer that turns away wrath. We need not worry ourselves about the
deserts of those who treat us unjustly, feeling that we
should see to their punishment. We are to leave that to God—who
judges righteously and who will take care also that no real harm
shall come to us, from the wrongs which others inflict on us, provided
we keep ourselves in His love and in an obedient spirit.

The lesson has its ideal exemplification in our Lord's prayer
on His cross for His murderers. His only answer to the driving
of the nails through His hands and feet was, "Father, forgive them; for
they know not what they do!" That is the way He wants us to answer the cruelties
and injuries which others may inflict upon us!

We must be ready to endure not one—but many injuries from the others.
We must be unresisting, like our Lord. No wrongs from
others—should ever turn our love to hate. Christ's own life was an
illustration of this. He was treated wrongfully at every step—but His
heart never lost its sweetness, its gentleness, its patience, its
desire to bless others and do them good.

"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of
judgment for every careless word they have spoken!" Matthew
12:36

We cannot recall any word we have spoken. It may be a false
word or an unkind word—a word which will blast and
burn! Instantly after it has been spoken—we may wish it back and may
rush after it and try to stop it—but there is no power in the world
that can unsay the hurtful word—or blot it out of our life!

It is just so with our acts. A moment after we have done a
wicked thing, we may bitterly repent it. We may be willing to give all
we have in the world to undo it, to make it as though it never had
been. But in vain. A deed done takes its place in the universe
as a fact—and never can be recalled.

We should be sure before we speaka word or doan
act—that it is right, that we shall never desire to have it
recalled—for when once we have opened our lips, or lifted our
hand—there will be no unsaying or undoing possible.

Our words and deeds are
irrevocable. We cannot recall anything we have done, neither
can we change it. But by other words and deeds, we may in some measure modify
the effect of that which we cannot blot out. Paul could not
undo his persecutions of Christians—but by a life to devotion to
Christ's cause—he could in a sense make reparation for the terrible
harm he had done.

Just so, we cannot undo the wrong things we have done—but we should
strive to set in motion other influences which may at least compensate
in some sense for the harm they have wrought. We cannot unsay the sharp
word which wounds our friend's heart—but we can by kindness and loyal
devotion—yet bring good and blessing to his life.

What a mercy there is One that loves us better than we love ourselves,
and will watch over us all our journey here, and who has engaged, by
all the varying dispensations of His providence, to prepare us for that
blessed home He has gone to prepare for us.

And oh, what a place will that be!

Love Him supremely!

Live for eternity!

Live for Jesus!

Have much to do with Him!

This world is not worth living for!

Its honors, its riches, its glories are things
ever passing away; but the love of Jesus is as eternal as Himself.

Oh, live for eternity! The glory of this world is fading, and is soon gone, and
gone forever!

Again I say, live for a glorious eternity!

If you could have the glory, the wealth, and the
honors of this world laid at your feet—how short would be the empty
enjoyment of them.

Then, live and act with reference to eternity!

And oh, the glory that awaits the true
follower of Christ, who has cast overboard all that the world calls
good and grand, and taking the Bible as his directory, walks as Jesus
did.

Do not keep the alabaster boxes of your affection sealed and
laid away—until your friends are dead. Fill their present days with
tenderness. Speak your words of commendation, while their ears can hear
them! The things you mean to say when they are dead and gone—say before
they go! The flowers you mean to send for their coffins—send beforehand
to brighten and sweeten their homes, before they leave them
forever!

I have often said—and I know I speak for thousands of other weary,
plodding toilers—that if my friends have vases laid away, filled with
the perfumes of sympathy and affection, which they intend to break over
my dead body—I would far rather they would bring them out now along my
toilsome days and open them—when I can enjoy them and be refreshed by
them!

Post-mortem kindnesses do not
cheer the burdened spirit. Tears falling on the icy brow of death, make
poor and too tardy atonement for coldness, neglect, and cruel
selfishness in life's long, struggling years. Appreciation, after the
heart is stilled in death—has no inspiration for the departed one; it
comes too late, when it is pronounced only in funeral eulogies. Flowers
piled on the coffin—cast no fragrance backward over weary days.

"Having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing
to do with them!" 2 Timothy 3:5

There are a multitude of such today!

"Having a form of godliness." This
means that they have a religious veneer. They bear the name of
Christ, belong to some so-called evangelical church, and seek to create
the impression that they are regenerate people. But like the foolish
bridesmaids of Matthew 25, they "took their lamps—but took no
oil with them." These professors are neither indwelt by the Holy
Spirit, nor made partakers of the transforming grace of God.

It is said of them, secondly, "but denying its
power." The reality of vital godliness is lacking, the
beauties of holiness are not found in them. By their lips, they
claim to be godly—but by their lives, they give the lie to it. "They
claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are
detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good!" (Titus 1:16)
"Have nothing to do with them!" With such people, the children
of God are to have nothing to do with—but are to shun
them as they would the plague!

"But now you must also put away all the following: anger,
wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language." Colossians 3:8

All the precepts of the Bible are aimed towards the fashioning of spiritual beauty in every redeemed life.
We are to put away . . .
all that is sinful,
all that is marring,
every blot and blemish,
every unholy desire, feeling, and affection,
everything that would defile.
And we are to put on whatever is lovely and Christlike.

The one great work of Christ in Christian lives—is the fashioning of
holiness in them. We are to grow away from our deformities, our faults
and infirmities, our poor dwarfed, stunted life—and into spiritual beauty! The mark set before
us is the likeness of Christ, which, at last, we shall attain! "We
shall be like Him, because we will see Him as He really is!" 1 John 3:2

"Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely
sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle." Proverbs 23:5

People are badly cheated in this world. They imagine that the things
they can see are the real things—that the gold,
lands, and stocks are the true treasures. So they toil for those things
and gather them into their possession, piling up what they suppose to
be wealth. Thus they live in pomp, with their fine houses, and all
their brilliant show. But one day their supposed riches sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle. Or they may keep their wealth,
perchance, and die at last in the midst of it, and have a
great funeral; but they find that they cannot carry a penny of
it with them. "How much did he leave?"
was asked about a rich man who had died. "All of it!" was the
answer.

If only people knew that there are things which will never fly
away—they would no longer live for fleeting worldly wealth. They would
pass by the glittering unrealities, to lay hold of the true
riches. He who is rich toward God—is the truly wealthy man.

Nothing is lovelier in life, than the spirit of contentment.
Fretting mars the beauty of many a face. Discontent spoils all
one's world. Out of whatever window he looks—the discontented person
sees something that is not pleasing.

But a contented person sees only good everywhere. The happiest homes in the world are not
those in which are the finest carpets, the costliest pictures, the most
luxurious furniture—but those in which contented, joyful hearts dwell.
A mind at peace, beautifies the plainest surroundings and even the
hardest conditions.

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what
it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have
learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether
well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do
everything through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11-13

We see the Master at prayer in Gethsemane. It was here that He prepared
for His Cross. We should notice that His refuge in His
exceeding sorrow—was prayer; and that, as the sorrow deepened—the
refuge still was prayer. Prayer is the only
refuge in sorrow. The lesson from the garden prayer
is that we should take all the hard things, the anguishes, the
insufferable pains, the bitter griefs of our lives—to God in prayer. We
may be sure, too, that God will answer. If He does not relieve us of
the suffering, He will strengthen us so that we can keep it,
and still go on trusting and singing.

"Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and
petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And
the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When earth's
wine gives out!

(J. R. Miller,
"Come with Me" Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ, 1890)

"When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to Him: They have no
more wine." John 2:3

This incident is a very fitting illustration of the failure of all
this world's joys. The wine gave out at a wedding-feast. There was
not enough of it to last through to the end of the feast. It is just so
with all earth's pleasures. It comes in cups—not in fountains;
and the supply is limited and soon exhausted. It is especially
so with sin's pleasures. The prodigal soon ran out of
money, and began to be in need. A poet compared the pleasures of sin
to a snowflake on the river, "a moment white—then gone forever!"

But it is true in a sense also—of pure pleasures. Even the
sweetness of human love is but a cupful which will not last
forever. The joy which so fills us today, tomorrow is changed to
sorrow. Amid the gladness of the marriage altar there is the knell of
the end, in the words "until death do us part." One of every
two friends must hold the other's hand in farewell at the edge of the
valley of the shadow of death—and must stand by the other's grave, and
walk alone for part of the way.

The best wine of earthly life and of love—will fail. If there were
nothing better in this world—how sad it would be! But it is here that
we see the glory of Christ's gospel. Jesus comes when earth's
wine fails—and gives heaven's wine to supply the lack. How
beautiful and how true is the picture here: the failing wine, and then
Jesus coming with power and supplying the need! That is what He is
doing continually. He takes lives which have drained their last drop of
earthly gladness—and He satisfies them with spiritual good and
blessing, so that they need nothing more.

When human joy fails—Jesus gives new joy, better than the world's, and
in unfailing abundance. How sad it is for those who have not taken
Christ into their lives, and who have nothing but the empty cup—when earth's wine gives out!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

As the tree
falls—so must it lie
(J. R. Miller,
"Devotional Hours with the Bible" 1909)

"Let him who does wrong—continue to do wrong; let him who
is vile—continue to be vile" Revelation 22:11

The character with which men reach the final judgment—will be
their permanent character forever. The man who lives in sin
unto the end—is making his own destiny. Habits of sin—make the whole
life sinful. It is this that gives such solemnity to life. The
seeds of our future eternity—lie in our present.

Everyone goes to his own place—that is, the place for which he is
fitted by his life on the earth. He who has always sinned here on
earth—will continue to sin forever. Eternal death—is simply eternal
sin, along with the punishments and consequences thereof. The
punishment of the wicked will not be an arbitrary punishment—but the
natural result of their own choices and acts in this life.

As the tree falls—so must it
lie;
As the man lives—so must he die!
As a man dies—such must he be;
All through the ages of eternity!

It makes a great difference, therefore, how we live in this world.
There is an false impression in some people's minds, that they can live
in sin all their days, and then by a few tears of penitence and a few
cries of mercy in a dying hour—can change all the course of their life
and spend eternity in heaven. This verse does not favor such a view.
The future life—is but the harvest of this present life.

Men will be judged by their deeds. The New Testament everywhere teaches
the same solemn truth. This does not mean that salvation is by works.
We are saved by grace—but grace changes the life and makes us
holy.

"To die is gain"—only to those who can sincerely say, "To me,
to live is Christ!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Most
punctilious in their religious rituals!
(J. R. Miller,
"Devotional Hours with the Bible" 1909)

"To avoid ceremonial uncleanness—the Jews did not enter the
palace." John 18:28

The religious rulers carried their pious scruples even to the
palace of Pilate. Amazingly, they had no scruples about their wicked
treatment of an innocent man—but they were scrupulously
conscientious about matters of mere ceremonial requirement! They
would not set their feet on the Gentile's floor—for that would
have defiled them! Yet meanwhile their hearts were full of evil
and murderous thoughts and resolves!

There will always be people who are most
punctilious in their religious rituals—but who in practical
life, are little better than heathen!

We should learn well, that God is grieved more by our bitter feelings,
our lack of love, our hate and envy—than He is with little omissions in
religious ceremonies and formalities.

"Look! The LION of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed!
Then I saw a LAMB, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the
center of the throne!" Revelation 5:5-6

John was looking for a Lion—and he saw a Lamb. This strange, double picture of Jesus as
He appears in heaven, is very suggestive.

He was a lion in His conflicts and victories, and as such
overcame all His enemies and ours also. But He was a lamb in
the gentleness of His character and disposition. The lamb is an emblem
of meekness and of unresisting obedience and submission.

As we think about Christ, we soon see how true both of these
pictures are.

Like a lion, He has power and majesty, and is dreadful to His
enemies! As a lion He met and overcame Satan, and triumphed
over death and the grave. As a lion He is able to
defend us from all our enemies, and the feeblest believer is safe under
His protection. He is the omnipotent God—and has all power in heaven
and on earth.

At the same time, the other picture is just as true.

He is like a little lamb in His gentleness. The whole spirit
of His life on earth shows this. Never was a mother so gentle to her
children, as was Jesus to the weary, troubled and penitent ones who
came to Him. He was lamb-like, too, in the way He endured wrongs and
sufferings. Other animals fight in their own defense—but the lamb does
not resist. When Christ was reviled, He did not revile in return; when
He suffered, He did not threaten in return. "Like a lamb led to the
slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers—He did not open
His mouth."

He is the same Jesus now in the midst of the throne—and it is this
astonishing combination of strength and gentleness which makes Him
such a wondrous Savior! In Him, we have the union of all the truest
qualities of love that our hearts so hunger for: tenderness, affection,
patience, sympathy. Then, when we have laid ourselves down to rest in
all this blessed warmth of love, we look up and see that we are in the
bosom of Omnipotence! Mere gentleness may be very weak—but while He is
a lamb—He is also a lion!

"Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the
center of the throne. He had seven horns and seven eyes." Revelation
5:6. Here we have three other thoughts about Christ.

1. Not only did He appear as a lamb—but as a lamb that had been slain.
There were wound marks on Him, telling that once He had been dead. One
suggestion of the emblem of the lamb, is sacrifice. Jesus was the Lamb
of God who took away sin—by bearing it Himself! Thus even in glory, the
fact of salvation by His sacrificial death, is set forth to the eyes of
all. Thus we are always to be reminded of the cost of our redemption.

2. A second suggestion about Christ, is in the representation of the "seven
horns." The horn in the Bible is the symbol of strength, and seven
is the symbol of completeness. Jesus appears there as the omnipotent
One, having all power.

3. The third symbol in the picture is the "seven eyes". An eye
sees, and seven eyes represent the perfection of vision, seeing
everywhere. The eyes of Christ are in all parts of the earth, and on
all events. This thought of the omniscience of Christ is
dreadful to the unrepentant sinner—but to the Christian at peace with
God—it has great comfort! Christ is watching over us and is ready to
fly to our help and rescue at any moment. His eye is fearsome only to
the wicked; to those who are His friends and are saved by Him, it gives
no terror to think of the unsleeping divine eye ever looking
down upon them with love!